The Viral Hitmaker: Lil Nas X Net Worth

Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, had his sights set on fame from a young age. He threw everything at the wall to see what would stick, from cooking up internet-breaking memes to dropping bite-sized comedy gold on social media. He ran a Nicki Minaj fan page before landing a record deal with Columbia. After trying his hand at everything, music was the one that stuck like glue.

The two-time Grammy Award-winning rapper thrives on originality, which is exactly why his sound cuts through the noise. He gained recognition in 2018 with Old Town Road, a country-rap track that dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks, the longest in the chart’s history since 1958. The song mixed hip-hop, country, and rap in a way that defied traditional genres. It became one of the best-selling songs in the United States, reaching 17 times platinum certification from the RIAA with 17 million copies sold.

With an estimated production cost of just fifty dollars, the song became a multi-million-dollar success and continued to generate revenue years later. The artist took his first big break and ran with it, earning eleven Grammy nominations and two wins. He has released twenty-five singles, with eighteen entering the Billboard Hot 100 and three reaching number one. Today, Lil Nas X has a net worth of $9 million, earned through music sales, streaming, and branding deals. Here is how he makes his money.

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Music Sales

Lil Nas X burst onto the music scene in December 2018 with Old Town Road, a track that took the internet by storm and catapulted him to stardom. His discography includes one studio album, two EPs, and 25 singles. Old Town Road earned a diamond certification and 17 platinum plaques, making it his most successful release. It is close to reaching double Diamond status, a rare achievement in the music industry.

Several other tracks in his catalog have achieved high sales numbers. Montero (Call Me by Your Name), Panini, and Industry Baby each hold seven Platinum certifications. In total, Lil Nas X has accumulated 47 Platinum and three Gold certifications, which amounts to an estimated 48.5 million copies sold in the United States. Since streaming counts toward single certifications, exact earnings are hard to determine.

Old Town Road alone earned him an estimated $14 million, according to Forbes. His debut album Montero and his 7 EP have both achieved two Platinum certifications, amounting to four million copies sold in the United States. Given that he is signed to Columbia Records, a subsidiary of Sony, his earnings from album sales likely fall within the industry standard of 20% to 25% per sale. With a standard album price of $10, he has made an estimated $8 million to $10 million from album sales alone.

Publishing And Touring

A musician writing a children’s book may seem unconventional, but Lil Nas X has built a career on breaking the mold. The singer-songwriter is a New York Times bestselling author, having written the children’s book C Is for Country. To achieve bestseller status, a book must move between 5,000 and 10,000 copies per week. At a price of $14.50 per copy and assuming consistent sales, Lil Nas X’s book has likely generated at least seven figures in revenue.

Live performances have been another major source of income. The Long Live Montero tour was his first as a headliner. According to Touring Data, he played 21 reported concerts out of 29 and sold 98,490 tickets. The average ticket price was $74.23, leading to a total revenue of $7.3 million. Each concert averaged $348,121 in earnings. A large portion of this revenue went to production costs, management fees, and venue expenses. Even after deductions, Lil Nas X took home a multi-million-dollar share.

Streaming Numbers

Few artists can stir up online engagement like Lil Nas X, who connects with 80 million followers worldwide. He has over 28.4 million followers on TikTok and 10.4 million on Instagram. Brands continuously seek collaborations with him, offering generous payouts for product promotions. He has ridden the wave of streaming success, turning digital platforms into a consistent source of income. On Spotify, he has 12.4 million followers and has accumulated 12 billion streams.

YouTube has also been highly profitable, with 19.4 million subscribers and 7.2 billion views. Across all platforms, his music has been streamed 19.2 billion times. Music streaming services pay based on views and streams. A modest estimate of $3,000 per million views suggests he has earned $57.6 million in ad revenue. Since launching his career in 2018, that breaks down to roughly $8 million per year or $650,000 per month.

Business Ventures And Endorsements

Lil Nas X carries an energy that is impossible to ignore, and his fearless persona, coupled with a knack for viral moments, makes brands flock to him like moths to a flame. His endorsement deals include some of the biggest names in fashion and food. Companies like Dior, Versace, Coach, Crocs, Doritos, Cheetos, Taco Bell, Balmain, and Ray-Ban have paid millions to feature him in campaigns. One of his most controversial collaborations was with MSCHF, where he promoted the Satan Shoes.

The design included biblical references and soles that contained a drop of human blood, which sparked global controversy. The backlash was not from religious groups but from Nike. The company sued MSCHF for copyright infringement, which eventually led to a settlement. The controversy fueled even more publicity, making the shoes one of the most talked-about brand deals in recent years. The Industry Baby singer generates revenue through his merchandise store, where sales from a fraction of his global fanbase bring in substantial earnings.